The Nationals want to use this month of September to gauge the readiness of several young players, and there are several of them in the lineup for tonight's series opener against the Mets.

Steve Lombardozzi (hitless in his first 12 big-league at-bats) is starting at second base and batting second. That means Danny Espinosa, who broke out of his slump yesterday with two doubles, is on the bench. He'll be joined there by Ian Desmond, who also gets a rare day off, with Brian Bixler starting at shortstop and leading off.

Chris Marrero, meanwhile, is back at first base, hoping to continue to produce the way he has the last several days (five RBI over his last three days). And Ross Detwiler is on the mound, hoping once again to establish himself as a viable member of the Nationals' rotation moving forward.

I'm not in New York for this series, so please enjoy the game and the conversation among yourselves…

Unrelated to tonight's game, but K. Rosenthal apparently has been blathering that the Nationals might be the free-agent landing pad for Jimmy Rollins. Does Rosenthal even factor in his own credibility when regurgitating what some agent spun to him? A team with Desmond, Espinosa, Lombardozi and Rendo and a lot of other areas of need sure as hell does not need Jimmy Rollins, who appears to be on the downhill side of his career arc. Mind you, none of the four Nats mentioned may ever reach the pinnacle Rollins did, but that's not the Rollins hitting the market.

Regrding Boz suggesting Strasburg sit – Sometimes it's obvious that Boz gets some inside info, writes a column that seems like it is his original thought, and then within a day or two his insight proves correct.So maybe someone from the Nats expressed concern to Boz but at the same time the Nats and Stras and staying quiet.Who knows.I remember one day Boz hypothesizing on Kasten leaving. And the next day Kasten left. Boz clearly knew this when he wrote the column, he just couldn't say he knew it so he hypothesized.

Link to the Rosenthal piece.http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Albert-Pujols-Prince-Fielder-CC-Sabathia-offseason-market-notes-091211It's obvious he has no idea what he's talking about. I mean, nothing he wrote about the Nats makes any sense. National baseball writers know very little about the Nats.It's going to be hard to turn off the Monday Night Football game in order to watch this crapfest. For any not on the email list, this Saturday is "Halfway to St. Patty's Day" at Nats Park with lots of half-priced tickets, beer and dogs. The first time I actually bought beer at the stadium was during last week's $5 beer special during the doubleheader rainout. I think I shall be buying more for this game!

I wrote "There are mixed signals on whether the Nationals will spend big this offseason; they overreached with Jayson Werth last winter and at some point need to extend third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who only is under contract through 2013.The Nats could sign Prince Fielder and move Michael Morse back to the outfield, or sign Jose Reyes and make a decision on Ian Desmond, either trading him or making him a super-utility man (though Desmond, after a horrible start, has batted .286/.358/.433 since July 5).Then again, if the Nationals set their sights lower, perhaps Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins would be a target. Rollins, who turns 33 on Nov. 27, has bounced back offensively and figures to remain with the Phillies, who lack an internal replacement. But the Nats would benefit from Rollins’ defense and leadership, too."

Grandstander I hate to differ but anything put on by the NoFunLeague is a crapfest as far as I'm concerned. I'd rather watch a Fall Instructional League baseball game ANYDAY over the no imagination, everbody does the same thing NFL.

I love football and baseball equally. I guess George Carlin said it best, as he frequently does.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmXacL0Uny0I do have to wonder what the attendance will be like next Sunday with the Marlins in town and the Skins playing across town. Tickets are going for incredibly cheap. Might have to get one of those home plate box seats and see if I can drink enough free booze to justify the cost.

NatsJack I'm with you and George Will, who said football embodies two American traits, violence and committee meetings. My otherwise bright son wanted to buy Super Bowl tix when Deadskins pulled off a win last night. I just went online to look for a condo near Viera to book for next March.

Female Point of View….I just have to say that, while tight pants in football are nice, they really don't trump the view of Zim from section 114, at the back edge of the dirt on the right side. Mr. Zimmerman has more going for him than just clutch hits and the ability to vacuum up grounders. Sorry, I'll get back on topic now….

Many of the Nats are quite hot, but seriously too young. I do have to confess, though, that I recently had a traitorous moment when I saw Hunter Pence shirtless. That sight could actually make me like a philly. All kidding aside, mlb is seriously missing the boat with the female fans.

Gonat – just got home from a late meeting and was wondering what was up with Detweiler when I saw only 1 hit on the board. I guess I should have stayed out. Were the Mets terrible or did he look good? Some extra offense might be nice, too. Although if Detweiler is going to be a nats pitcher, he should get used to the lack of run support.

There must be some lesson to why Davey didnt have anyone up warming in the 6th until 2 were on.Davey always has a method to his madness. I am also being facetious. A shame to give up the lead that quick and another reason why Detwiler isn't more than a 5th starter at best.

Steve M. said…With the added rest, Det may throw a gem tonight. Even if he does, I still don't think it changes what he is. His last month here has shown he is nothing more than a back of the rotation guy. A few innings of showing dominance doesn't make you an Ace. September 12, 2011 1:14 PM _________________________________Steve, sometimes I swear you are Carnac the Magnificent. Det threw a gem and people on Twitter had already declared Ross Detwiler a Ace. Then boom he falls apart in the 6th.Even as a back of the rotation guy, he has shown some gritty moments. I still think you see what he does the rest of Sept. The extra rest you brought up is interesting. Was that what you thought would be the reason he would look so good?

Jim, yes, Alfonso was nice eye candy, but I do love Zim more. And a lot of our current boys. Even if they are SERIOUSLY too young. I'm ok with a little lechery, so long as it stays in my mind. ;-)Well, so much for that lead. Ross was doing so well up until he wasn't! Hope we can find a little more offense…..

baseballswami said… Gonat – just got home from a late meeting and was wondering what was up with Detweiler when I saw only 1 hit on the board. I guess I should have stayed out. Were the Mets terrible or did he look good? Some extra offense might be nice, too. Although if Detweiler is going to be a nats pitcher, he should get used to the lack of run support. September 12, 2011 8:56 PM _____________________________He was actually dominant for 5 innings. The 6th inning he was out of gas. He actually struck out Reyes on a pitch where he stumbled forward.In Ross style, he fell apart quickly. True, Davey was watching another game. Nobody was up and ready after he walked 2 straight including the lefty Duda.

LoveDaNats, glad you want to make them spaghetti, since I want to make them cookies! Now I can feel assured that they will have had a good diner first!They couldn't be my kids, but they could've been my students…..

You know, he did only give up 2 runs in 6 innings – that should not be fatal. Has he ever pitched with a comfortable lead? It just seems like our young pitchers are under undue stress all the time because they are pitching from behind or in very tight games. Just sayin'.

baseballswami said… You know, he did only give up 2 runs in 6 innings – that should not be fatal. Has he ever pitched with a comfortable lead? It just seems like our young pitchers are under undue stress all the time because they are pitching from behind or in very tight games. Just sayin'. September 12, 2011 9:14 PM ______________________________He had a 2-0 lead and to JZim, 2 runs would seem like 6.Let's not make up excuses for Ross. It was a great 5 innings. Call it a 5 inning gem. That's the problem. He can't get into the 7th inning. Davey sent McCatty to calm him down and it didn't help. He was out of breath.If it was a 5 inning game, Detwiler would be great and Milone also.

Ok, Pudge is my age. But the rest of them are pretty adorable. Drew is my personal choice for cookies and milk. That beard on that face…..But as long as Zim makes plays like that one at third, there's just no need to talk about anything else!!

Tyler Clippard doesn't get the call on 0-2 to Reyes and doesn't lose his head and gets him out on the next pitch.That is the biggest lesson JZim and LannEn have to learn. It happens all to often. Brush it off and come back with a better pitch.Tyler Clippard throws a 2 inning GEM! Yah, he may not be Venters but I really like OUR NATIONALS CLIPPARD!

Well, I have been gone for a few days, and I see the View has taken over the blog! (I jest, no yelling at me, I am still recovering from my 5 yr old's first soccer practice today).I assume Davey was forcing Ross to work his way through a jam and go deeper. Certainly not a bad outing, but I probably see him in the pen next year. I actually think he and Gorzy would be pretty effective there, although my gut tells me Gorzy gets non tendered.

Gonat – You hear so much about the back of the braves bullpen, but I think our Clip and Store are right up there. They don't get the attention because of our record. I have found myself wondering this week what our record could have been had we not spent the last month in pre-spring training. Sure, Drew had a blip last week , but just from rust. A couple of times he blinked, we ended up winning anyway because he didn't blow it real bad.

FP was talking on the broadcast about how Clip watches every batter during the game so that by the time he gets in he knows exactly how he wants to pitch each person. Being as good as he is does not happen by accident. Nice to see nasty Drew, too. Those two are just better back to back.

Nice win7 to go!!!My guy Coffey for just one out but if Davey keeps using him correctly he will be just fine next year.I have often wondered why Davey doesn't have guys warming up sooner as well but to be honest, Detwiler got the first two batters in that inning and he had a 1 hitter going so why would you have someone up? That being said, Detwiler and Wang have not convinced me they are the answer to our run to the playoffs. Need to see more of Milone and we honestly get our first look at Peacock in a couple days. I think the answer is that solid FA with the initials MB.Pretty neat that Lombardozzi's father was in the stands for this game.

sjm308 said… My guy Coffey for just one out but if Davey keeps using him correctly he will be just fine next year.__________________________Yep, what were his stats when he threw to no more than 2 batters. I think they were very good. He also had a great streak of no inherited runners scoring. A definite victim of over-use in the mid-season.

Stras, JZimm and Lannan are a good start. But with Stras (and probably JZimm) innings limited next year, I am not seeing playoffs…What we need is another #1 or #2 starter to bump Lannan down to #4 where he belongs. Then playoffs will be much more realistic. When we eventually do get to the playoffs you do not want to see Lannan as a starter… I don't think what happens with Detwiler or Wang matters all that much.

Gonat – no doubt in my mind Coffey was overused early in the year and again, I don't have stats but I am betting when he throws one inning or less he is lights out.Tim, agree that the playoffs are probably two years away but an old man can dream. Definitely agree that for us to be in the playoff hunt LannEn needs to be no higher then #4. I still think Detwiler can be tough out of the pen but I am not sure they think that will work. I am pushing for 3 lefties in the pen next year (since I don't think they will release Burnett).Storen – CloserClippard – 8th & 7th if they need itCoffey – 7th or 6th but NOT BOTHBurnett – mop up unless he can find himself againHRod – when you need a strike outGorzo & Det as long relief or loogy

Speaking of Drews, I wonder what Nancy Drew would think of Nasty Drew.Washington has seen its share of notable Drews over the years — columnist Drew Pearson with his Washington Merry Go Round; Cowboy Drew Pearson, who helped Clint @#!$%^& Longley ruin Thanksgiving dinner in 1974. (I was 12; it still makes me sick.)Larry Drew did a stint on the Wizards' bench. Charlene Drew Jarvis served on the city council for years.Drew Storen could end up as one of Washington's greatest Drews. But Jarvis' father, Washington's Dr. Charles Drew, retired the trophy.

Dang.. I missed the eye candy portion of the chat! The one night I don't drag out the laptop and I miss this. Agree with the rest of the ladies on the chat, I am pudges age, so some are young enought to be my son, but most are not!… Thanks guys for letting us have our night. I think all of us need to chip in and feed Det… He is just way to skinny and I think that is part of his problem. He needs to put some beef on that frame to build up stamina. I think he just loses steam – ergo, the extra day of rest got him into the 6th instead of just the 4th/5th.

Couldn't watch but heard the end of the game on the radio. Maybe Drew unintentionally/intentionally walked David Wright?On the hunk front–Ankiel has that square jaw. Too bad he usually has a big chaw in there. Zimm==> goes without saying. Lombo is cute, why didn't someone tell me? Oh, yeah, Clipp! Maybe spaghetti would help Detwiler build up his stamina.

Gonat said… Steve M. said…With the added rest, Det may throw a gem tonight. Even if he does, I still don't think it changes what he is. His last month here has shown he is nothing more than a back of the rotation guy. A few innings of showing dominance doesn't make you an Ace. September 12, 2011 1:14 PM _________________________________Steve, sometimes I swear you are Carnac the Magnificent. Det threw a gem and people on Twitter had already declared Ross Detwiler a Ace. Then boom he falls apart in the 6th.Even as a back of the rotation guy, he has shown some gritty moments. I still think you see what he does the rest of Sept. The extra rest you brought up is interesting. Was that what you thought would be the reason he would look so good? September 12, 2011 8:59 PM Thanks. Lucky guess? I just had a feeling with the extra rest he would pitch a gem. He worked over Reyes real well all game. His challenge was David Wright who was his un-doing in the 6th. I could see him in the 5th starting to unravel some and was also surprised Davey didn't have someone up warming at the beginning of the 6th.

SteveM, the best quote was provided by Davey. He didn't call it a 5 inning gem. He called it a masterpiece. No Davey, a masterpiece is when you pitch that way for 7 to 9 innings of no earned run baseball and get the W or at least 6 so it qualifies as a Quality Start. I can recall 3 masterpieces this year provided by Jordan Zimmermann, Livan Hernandez, and Jason Marquis.Davey, do you have a clue?"That was a masterpiece game," Davey Johnson said after the game. "The way he was pitching there, I was excited to watch him."

Watched the replay of last night's game. Detwiler was out of breath in the sixth, huffing and puffing. I don't think it's that hitters are "getting him" on the second or third time through the rotation–he missed some bats in the sixth–but he was losing it fast. Apparently it was a humid but not really hot night; he will face much worse. So unless he builds up his stamina, he will have to go in the pen.Clip–as the other blog says–not human!

Didn't see the game but was able to pick up the second half of it on the radio while driving back from a long weekend trip to Ohio. When Charlie or Dave (can't recall) was talking about how effective Det had been thus far, I was telling my husband, "yeah, let's see how he does next time through the lineup." Sorry, kid, but I get nervous. Prove me wrong.I don't believe I'll weigh in on the other topic as most of those guys could be my sons. Now, if you want to talk managers, I do rather like Joe Maddon (grrrrowl ;-)).

There are definitely some good-looking kids on the team.Not sure whether this has been done recently as I've not read comments for several days but here's an updated comparison to last year's record:2010, 61-842011, 68-77

Davey, do you have a clue?"That was a masterpiece game," Davey Johnson said after the game. "The way he was pitching there, I was excited to watch him." Correct me if I'm wrong, but Detwiler allowed just two base runners the first five innings. That's not five innings worth of masterpiece? Don't you think Davey wants to give a little shout out to Ross, who has among the worst run support on the team? (And, who knows, if Ross can bulk up to say, 160 lbs , he may have some more stamina some day).

DC wonk – seems like there have been lots of offers here to feed him spaghetti and cookies! I personally think he needs a personal trainer. As much as we joke about it, I don't think he has enough muscle mass to produce stamina. His body just craps out at about 90 pitches.